Paul is an experienced Waikato Principal of 18 years and has a collaborative team approach to leading a school. We are sure Paul is a good fit for our school, with his most recent school being a similar size to St Joseph’s where he was a part of a team that lead the transition to becoming the first ILE school in the Waikato. Paul has a strong empathy for St Joseph’s special character, and was a Principal for 7 years of a church school in an overseas mission setting.

We are sure you will make Paul feel welcome, and ask that you take the time to introduce yourself when you have the opportunity.

Wishing everyone all the best for the coming term.

Regards

David Nickalls

Chairperson

We know that wearing a mask helps to protect us from catching and spreading a range of illnesses. As we continue into the middle of winter with colds, flu and COVID-19 circulating, a good rule of thumb is to wear a mask when outside your home particularly in places where it’s difficult to physically distance, in enclosed spaces with poor air quality and when coming into contact with vulnerable people such as those in hospitals or aged residential care. In schools, face masks are strongly encouraged to be used by ākonga and staff in Years 4- 13 when indoors to slow the spread of COVID-19. If large gatherings such as assemblies are to take place, face masks are strongly recommended.

Mask wearing is recommended for first 4 weeks of Term 3

At the start of Term 3, 2022, the Ministries of Education and Health strongly recommend that all schools and kura amend their mask policy for the first four weeks of term to require mask wearing in all indoor settings (where it will not have a significant impact on teaching and learning) for students in Years 4 and above. This recommendation does not include any situation where mask wearing might not be practicable, such as while eating and drinking, playing certain musical instruments, indoor sport, where it will have a significant impact on teaching and learning (for example, students with particular learning needs), certain activities such as singing or drama performance on stage, and PE. In these situations, particular attention should be paid to ensuring there is good ventilation during the activity, and physical distancing where practicable.

This process has started with the issuing of nomination papers to our caregiver community.

This year with legislative change, our nomination form and full instruction on how to place your nomination into our own School’s Election website will be emailed to you if we have your email address in our database or you will receive it by post if we don’t have your email in our database. Nomination papers will also be available at the school office. The school will send those on to CES for processing upon receipt from candidates. Nominations close on Wednesday 3rd August at 12 noon. Election day is Wednesday 7th September. We look forward to your participation in this process.

We wish to clarify the correct procedures as parents/caregivers for the following:

Absentees... There are three ways to advise the school of your child's absence. Please use one of the following with a brief reason as to why they are absent by 9.00am.

- Through our School App

- Email admin@stjoes.school.nz

- Phone (answer machine available)

If we have not received a reason via any of the above, an automated text is sent. If no response is received to the text this is then followed by a phone call/s. If we are still unable to contact a parent/caregiver the child is marked as truant.

To keep the process streamlined please do not advise absentees through Seesaw or teacher email. Teachers are not always on site to pass on messages and this can cause a lot of confusion for all concerned. We request that absentees are only advised via the above.

If your child is going to be absent from school for 3 days or more for a pre-planned event such as a holiday, operation, family event, etc, parents/caregivers must provide these details in writing - email admin@stjoes.school.nz This is so that as a school we meet the Ministry requirements.

Messages for Students

If for some reason plans made before school have changed and you need to get a message to your child please phone the School Office by 2.40pm - answer machine available.

Please do not Seesaw message or email the classroom teachers. Teachers do not have the luxury of time to continually check their messages when busy in the classroom and this can mean messages are missed.

Collecting Your Child During School Hours

On the rare occasion you may need to collect your child during school hours for an appointment, unexpected circumstances or sound valid reasons, please phone the school office at least 30 minutes, or earlier if possible, before collection time to arrange.

Under the current Orange COVID level your child will then be asked to wait at the Linden Street office door and parents/caregivers will be required to sign their child out.

PLEASE do not go straight to the classroom without first coming via the school office OR Seesaw message/email the classroom teachers. As above Teachers do not have the luxury of time to check their messages.

REMINDER: Students should not be on school site before 8.15am and all students (excluding late bus students) are to be off the school grounds by 3.15pm. Outside of these hours the school is not in a position to provide supervision of your child.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation in regards to these matters.

Just a reminder...

Hockey Registrations: These need to be completed by Friday, July 29th via the seesaw form shared. URGENTLY need managers for Yr 5/6 teams. At this time we may not be able to enter this year group until a manager if found. Please let us know if you can help in this area.

Miniball : Starts tomorrow Wednesday, July 27th. Please ensure fees are paid to the school office by Friday, August 5th. Thank you.